Brian (no.1) lost the first game 0-9 as he had forgoten the season had started. However, he recovered to win the next three against a bigger, hard-hitting experienced opponent. A good 3-1 win.
Geoff (no.2) played a younger (aren't they all) opponent and other than a bit of a scare in the second (10-9, but was 8-9 down) a comfortable 3-0 win.
Paddy (no.3) not in the game at all and lost 0-3.
Des (no.4) started well, lost the second, but also a good 3-1 win.
Match result 12-5 and a win to get the season going.
Final result 9-12
11th LEAGUE vs Wendywood
Yeah - things started off pretty bleakly for the 11th league.
We played wendywood at home, and went down 2-16
Graeme Cumming lost 0-3
Johan Carstens lost 0-3
Keith Arnott lost 1-3
Johan Mare lost 1-3 (although he did pick up the first game for the 11th league in the 2008 season)
Final result 2-16
9th league vs. Bryanston
I received a phone call at 3-45pm from Bryanston advising that they are unable to raise a side and that they concede the game.
I told their captain that I would speak to the rest of my players to see if they would be prepared to reschedule the game but was given a resounding no.
The result is thus 16-0.
Match result: 16-0
8th League vs. Winchester Hills
At home to Winchester last night and off we go again.
On first I went at no 3 and won the first in a close encounter 9 - 6. Then the next 9 - 0 and thought this is easy. Should have been playing 8th league for years already I thought. Only to then promptly lose the the third 3 - 9. But then dug in to take the next 9 - 0. Piece of cake after all. 3 - 1 up.
But not quite so easy for the next man Paul Fallon at # 2. Began with two hard games and got punished. But then rallied with a brilliant rear guard action to take the third 9 - 6. But it was not to be --- went down closely 7 - 9 in the 4th. 1 -- 3 down.
Nick Papa at no 4 then cracked the whip firmly and cake walked it 3 - 0 in quick time. No contest. 3 -- 0 up.
Last was best once again --- and who else but Bruce say no more Bydawell ? --- once again. Another 5 setter of note. First up then down then up and then all square at 2 a piece. Only to lose a great final 7 - 9 at just before 10pm ! 2 -- 3 down.
So overall result 11 -- 7 and the flag is flying.
Match score: 11-7
7th League vs. Dainfern
1st match for 7th league against Dainfern, the other side promoted from 8th last year. Andy at no 2, on first went down 3-0 (my excuse the temperature was still about 30 degrees outside and about 40 on court!). George on next at 1 winning a tight match 3-0 to level the score. Stuart next at 3 and far too clever for his opponent, demoralizing him 9-0 in the first, and eventually taking it 3-1. The marathon was saved to last with Manie eventually outrunning his opponent to take the match 3-2. A 12-6 result, some good performances (3 out of 4 aint bad) and a good start to the season against a side that didn’t lose a match last season!
Match score: 12-6
Match score: 12-6
6th League “B” vs Northcliff
First game of the season and the team agree that we need to do well and show the “wannebee A team” what they are up against.
Northcliff also got promoted from the 7th league last year and gave the Chamber team (Winners of 7th league) a run for their money in the second half of last year. I think they have been spending many hours in the pub working on their strategy for the new season and will eventually move from the pub onto the courts in the second half again. This is what they have promised us.
On first at number 4 a rejuvenated Dirk who finished before I could even get to the court 9-4, 9-1 and 9-5 (3-0)
Ryan on second at number 2. Going down in the first 2-9 this did not look good, coming back in the second to take it 10-8 you could see his opponent had used all he had to try take that game. The next two went pretty easily 9-6 and 9-2 (3-1)
Phil on at number one next. The first few rallies seemed to last forever and had the undoing of his opponent. Phil cruised through 9-5 9-2 9-3 (3-0)
On at number 3 was yours truly. The guy I was playing was complaining about a late night before the game started so the least we could do was end early and give him an early night 9-1 9-1 9-2 (3-0)
Ryan promised to make up for the game he lost next week (beware wannebees). A great start with a 16-1 win and the evening ended off with a good pizza at Lucio’s.
Match result : 16-1
Northcliff also got promoted from the 7th league last year and gave the Chamber team (Winners of 7th league) a run for their money in the second half of last year. I think they have been spending many hours in the pub working on their strategy for the new season and will eventually move from the pub onto the courts in the second half again. This is what they have promised us.
On first at number 4 a rejuvenated Dirk who finished before I could even get to the court 9-4, 9-1 and 9-5 (3-0)
Ryan on second at number 2. Going down in the first 2-9 this did not look good, coming back in the second to take it 10-8 you could see his opponent had used all he had to try take that game. The next two went pretty easily 9-6 and 9-2 (3-1)
Phil on at number one next. The first few rallies seemed to last forever and had the undoing of his opponent. Phil cruised through 9-5 9-2 9-3 (3-0)
On at number 3 was yours truly. The guy I was playing was complaining about a late night before the game started so the least we could do was end early and give him an early night 9-1 9-1 9-2 (3-0)
Ryan promised to make up for the game he lost next week (beware wannebees). A great start with a 16-1 win and the evening ended off with a good pizza at Lucio’s.
Match result : 16-1
6thLeague “A” vs Edenvale
The season got off to a solid start against a lackluster Edenvale team.
John Shannon kicked off against a sprightly 50 something year old (who looked no more than 40) who apparently was fitter than Jeff Davidson not too long ago. Some sublime touches saw John race to a 2-0 lead only to go to sleep in the third and somehow contrive to give a game away. Normal service was resumed in the fourth with John running out an easy winner. (3-1)
A rusty Graeme Rigby took the court next against a guy twice his age and then went on to prove that youth does not always prevail over experience! Graeme raced to 7-0 up in the first before eventually squeaking through 9-7. The next three games were evenly shared in a very up and down match only for Graeme to succumb rather easily in the fifth. (2-3)
With the match evenly poised, Gavin Bowes went on court to show how it should be done and barely broke a sweat in cleaning up in next to no time. (3-0)
Fortunately with the match already secured, it was left to the Richard and Harry show to entertain the crowds. Harry tried his best to put me off with his constant banter but it made little difference and I won comfortably. (3-0)
Overall – 14-4.
Bring on next Tuesday to sort out the men from the boys in 6th league!
Match result : 14-4
John Shannon kicked off against a sprightly 50 something year old (who looked no more than 40) who apparently was fitter than Jeff Davidson not too long ago. Some sublime touches saw John race to a 2-0 lead only to go to sleep in the third and somehow contrive to give a game away. Normal service was resumed in the fourth with John running out an easy winner. (3-1)
A rusty Graeme Rigby took the court next against a guy twice his age and then went on to prove that youth does not always prevail over experience! Graeme raced to 7-0 up in the first before eventually squeaking through 9-7. The next three games were evenly shared in a very up and down match only for Graeme to succumb rather easily in the fifth. (2-3)
With the match evenly poised, Gavin Bowes went on court to show how it should be done and barely broke a sweat in cleaning up in next to no time. (3-0)
Fortunately with the match already secured, it was left to the Richard and Harry show to entertain the crowds. Harry tried his best to put me off with his constant banter but it made little difference and I won comfortably. (3-0)
Overall – 14-4.
Bring on next Tuesday to sort out the men from the boys in 6th league!
Match result : 14-4
5th LEAGUE vs Wits Univ
In the absence of our esteemed captain, and as a lowly member of the 5th Leage team (one who clearly should be playing 6th League after a sound thrashing from Phil Maxton) I will try to recollect the highlights of the match.
Shaun played first at No.2 against their No.1, and looked a little rusty to start, winning the first game 10-9. He then decided to play squash and very un-sportingly won the second 9-0 and the third 9-6 to win 3-0.
Trevor played next at No.1, and comfortably beat his opponent 9-2, 9-3 & 9-3, with some good straight power squash, and very little reverse angles.
Vivek played next winning 9-6, 9-3 and 10-8.
Finally yours truly, “Captain-My-Captain”, went on at No.4. Won the first two comfortably 9-1, 9-2, and then at 5-0 in the third, decided it was most un-sporting to thrash the Wits Students 16-0, and conceded a game 5-9. Fortunately I finished it off in the fourth 9-4 to win 3-1.
Result 16-1, followed by pizza & beer @ Nunos. Dopio Zero close their kitchen at 9:30 so that does not work
Match Result: 16-1
Shaun played first at No.2 against their No.1, and looked a little rusty to start, winning the first game 10-9. He then decided to play squash and very un-sportingly won the second 9-0 and the third 9-6 to win 3-0.
Trevor played next at No.1, and comfortably beat his opponent 9-2, 9-3 & 9-3, with some good straight power squash, and very little reverse angles.
Vivek played next winning 9-6, 9-3 and 10-8.
Finally yours truly, “Captain-My-Captain”, went on at No.4. Won the first two comfortably 9-1, 9-2, and then at 5-0 in the third, decided it was most un-sporting to thrash the Wits Students 16-0, and conceded a game 5-9. Fortunately I finished it off in the fourth 9-4 to win 3-1.
Result 16-1, followed by pizza & beer @ Nunos. Dopio Zero close their kitchen at 9:30 so that does not work
Match Result: 16-1
3rd LEAGUE vs Wits Univ
3rd LEAGUE vs Wits Univ
Opening match of the season we played Wits. They just beat us last year to get promoted to 3rd. We went to 3rd anyway as we got Francisco to play for us again this year.
Francisco ran Jacek ragged; Willem was happy as Jacek and Willem had a monster 5 setter last year, with Jacek narrowly winning.
Willem beat Byron 3-1, with some tense moments towards the end. It almost went to 5.
Gary beat Patrick 3-0, in spite of the marker (Jeff) feeling sorry for the underdog.
Jeff, (a sick Jeff weak from a stomach bug) managed to go 2 love up but then lost the next 3.
Match Result: 14-4
Opening match of the season we played Wits. They just beat us last year to get promoted to 3rd. We went to 3rd anyway as we got Francisco to play for us again this year.
Francisco ran Jacek ragged; Willem was happy as Jacek and Willem had a monster 5 setter last year, with Jacek narrowly winning.
Willem beat Byron 3-1, with some tense moments towards the end. It almost went to 5.
Gary beat Patrick 3-0, in spite of the marker (Jeff) feeling sorry for the underdog.
Jeff, (a sick Jeff weak from a stomach bug) managed to go 2 love up but then lost the next 3.
Match Result: 14-4
Ladies 4th LEAGUE 02 vs Northcliff
Jenny 1 – 3
Caroline 3 – 1
Megan 0 – 0
Pat 0 – 3
Overall result 4-16
Caroline 3 – 1
Megan 0 – 0
Pat 0 – 3
Overall result 4-16
Ladies 3rd LEAGUE 01 vs UJ
Match…………….what match. We were no match.
Lisa lost 0-3
Julie lost 0-3
Lynda lost 0-3
Claire lost 0-3
Overall result 0-16
Lisa lost 0-3
Julie lost 0-3
Lynda lost 0-3
Claire lost 0-3
Overall result 0-16
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